Lee Westwood feels his three years of misery could be a blessing in disguise after an emotional victory in the BMW International Open in Munich.

Westwood shed tears of joy and relief after a final-round 66 at Nord-Eichenried gave him a 19-under-total of 269 and three-shot victory over Germany's Alex Cejka.

The 30-year-old from Worksop had not won since the last of his seven victories worldwide in 2000 which saw him end Colin Montgomerie's seven-year reign as European number one.

He had slumped from a high of fourth in the world to 215th at the start of the week, and failed to record a single top-10 finish last season.

But he finally reaped the reward of seven months of hard work with coach David Leadbetter, who told him at the recent USPGA Championship that his swing "looked as good as it ever has".

But Westwood said: "Before I took the break I felt my technique was becoming flawed and I was getting by on adrenalin and the knack of winning, so maybe these three years have been a blessing in disguise. I hope I come out of it a stronger player."

Westwood added he had considered quitting the game as he battled to rediscover his form.